LAURIE WILLIAMS
SOCCER
LVSL
By LAURIE WILLIAMS
ROUND 2 of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League kicked off on Saturday night as Falcons 2000 made it two wins from two against a much improved Monash and on Sunday Olympians nearly caused the upset of the round against Moe United, whilst there were wins for Morwell Pegasus and Sale United against Churchill and Tyers respectively.
SATURDAY night football returned to Latrobe City Sports Stadium as Falcons 2000 looked to make it consecutive wins against a Monash outfit who pushed title fancy Morwell Pegasus all the way last weekend.
In what was a lacklustre game, both sides started poorly but it was the home side who suddenly flicked the switch in the 20th minute that ultimately saw them win the contest off the back of a dominant twenty-five-minute period prior to the break. A free flowing attacking move brought about the opening goal as new signing Liam Johnson astutely crossed the ball to striker Stefan Sbaglia as he was able to chest and volley the ball home to extend his goal tally to seven goals in two games. Soon it would be two as a well-worked corner routine enabled Jamie Pistrin to ping the ball across the goal line which Monash put in their own net. It would be Pistrin that would make it three, and early contender for goal of the year as his sumptuous volley from twenty yards dipped over the Monash goalkeeper and into the side netting.
In a tale of two halves, the Wolves came out firing in the second stanza and showed the spectators that the promising signs from their opening fixture were not a once off. Leon Varasso, Ethan Lawrence and Adam Semple started to get busy on the ball and whilst they didn’t create a lot of opportunities they certainly had Falcons on the back foot. They would soon get their reward as a mix up in the Falcons backline saw ‘keeper Charles Simon bring down one of the away sides strikers. Semple made no mistake from the spot. Monash had one final chance with only minutes remaining but Lawrence couldn’t convert.
Both sides looked frustrated afterwards, both for differing reasons; Falcons for taking their foot off the pedal and Monash for starting the season pointless albeit against two high quality opponents.
Falcons 3 def Monash 1
PEGASUS, in their new look away strip, were too much for Churchill delivering a 4-0 blow to the Rams in their first game of the season. Pegasus were a well-oiled machine and scored the fastest goal of the season when Levi Mahamoud slammed one in from 15 metres at the 2 minute mark. It was all possession for Pegasus who were giving the Churchill goalkeeper a good work out. Moni Eliaser was prominent for Pegasus while Majok Deng, Dean Pyle and Andrew Demse were setting the pace for Churchill. The Flying Horsemen found their second after a strong run by Kuku Mahmoud saw Aqulina Jok rise to head the ball in. At the other end, Pegasus ‘keeper Joel Thompson was tested in a short spurt for Churchill. It would soon be three as Eliaser crossed to Mahmoud who duly converted. A three goal first half was supplemented by a solitary goal in the second half after a corner from Sean Ngwenye-Nyathi landed in the box but went in for an own goal coming off a Churchill defender. Churchill attacked late in the game but were foiled by the energetic Thompson who ensured his side kept their first clean sheet of the season. Churchill’s Mitchell Azlin thought his header was successful in the dying moments but the offside flag was up denying him his name on the scoresheet.
Pegasus 4 def Churchill 0
MOE United were keen to get their campaign off on the right note against an Olympians side looking to restore pride after a Round 1 loss. The Red Devils seem to be the team on everyone’s lips as they’re expected to make a strong push for league title honours. Football is a funny game, and it was proven correct yet again as a steely Olympians outfit continually challenged the home side as it took an 82nd minute winner to allow the Moe supporters and player alike a collective sigh of relief as points dropped in their first game of the year would’ve been disastrous.
Moe 1 def Olympians 0
SALE came back with a vengeance after their first round defeat as they comfortably accounted for the travelling Tyers. The Swans seemed to enjoy the easier contest and their 5-1 victory was reflective of their dominance of the game. Tyers did manage to score their first goal of the season which provided small solace in what was otherwise a tough day at the office.
Sale 5 def Tyers 1
Round 3 (Seniors/Reserves)
Pegasus v Newborough/Yallourn – Sunday 3pm
MATCH of the Round honours goes to the Pegasus and Newborough/Yallourn contest on Sunday. The Combine, fresh off the bye will look to really put Pegasus through their paces and try and solidify their round 1 win. Pegasus are two from two but will find this match a much harder challenge.
Falcons v Churchill – Saturday 7pm
FALCONS have their second successive night match, this time against Churchill who were mauled by Pegasus last weekend. Falcons are on top of the ladder and have scored eleven goals in two games in a well-functioning forward line which is still yet to welcome back star Nonda Lazaris as his minutes have been managed of late. Word out of Falcons is that he is close to full fitness which will have their upcoming opponents nervous. Churchill will always put up a fight which will ensure the contest will be a well fought one.
Monash v Sale – Sunday 3pm
THE hard luck story of the year thus far is surely Monash. In what can only be described as a baptism of fire start to the season in playing Pegasus and Falcons, they find themselves on zero points but rest assured they will be no easy beats this year. Round 3 provides them a golden opportunity to get their first win of the season against Sale.
Tyers v Fortuna – Sunday 3pm
IF Tyers found last week tough then they’re in for a rude awakening on Sunday as they host title aspirants Fortuna 60. Fresh from a weekend off the tools, the Orangemen will be champing at the bit to send a message to their league on Sunday and by all rights should win comfortably. Tyers will be looking to put up a fight and their previous two games have shown that they certainly won’t shirk the challenge.
WOMEN’s fixture
Falcons v Churchill
Monash v Sale
Pegasus v New/Yallourn
Tyers v Fortuna
Traralgon City v Moe
2nd DIVISON fixture
Sale White v Fortuna
Traralgon City v Moe
Monash v Sale Green
